Football

Nov. 22, 2017 | 11:03 AM

Australia coach quits despite guiding Socceroos to World Cup

Australia's national football coach Ange Postecoglou speaks at a press conference to announce his resignation beside Football Federation of Australia (FFA) chief David Gallop (R) in Sydney on November 22, 2017./ AFP / William WEST

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Ange Postecoglou framed his departure as Socceroos head coach with a stereotypically Aussie scenario.

He'd decided to quit last week immediately after Australia qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup, only to be talked out of it an hour later.

Speculation about Postecoglou's future increased after a newspaper report in the wake of Australia's Asian playoff win over Syria suggested he would not take the team to Russia regardless of what happened in the intercontinental playoff against Honduras.

Postecoglou was criticized at times for persevering with a three-man defensive system, and for Australia's lack of finish in front of goal in Asian qualifying when missed opportunities forced them into the difficult playoff route to Russia.

Tim Cahill, Australia's all-time leading goal scorer and a significant contributor to Australia's four World Cup qualifying campaigns, said Postecoglou's commitment and sense of national pride set him apart from many coaches.

National team coaches are due to attend a meeting in Moscow next week before next Friday's World Cup draw, but it's unlikely Australia will appoint a permanent replacement before then. Australia joins Serbia and Saudi Arabia as countries going to the World Cup without the coach who got them there.